Shaving Tips

Shaving Tips

Shaving works best when your skin is warm, wet, and slick from a rich lather. The best time to shave is after a hot shower.
If you tend to nick yourself shaving, add lather and spend more time warming your skin and letting the lather soften your beard before shaving.
If you have dry skin or experience razor burn, try a pre-shave oil. This will help your facial hairs stand up.
Razor bumps can signal one of two problems. You might be shaving against the grain of your beard. Make sure to soften the skin and beard, then shave with the grain of the beard. Another problem might be dead skin cells. Us an exfoliation sponge or gentle exfoliating cleanser a couple of times a week. This will clear up any dead skin and uproot ingrown hairs, making for a smoother shave.
Razor burn is a common complaint of those with sensitive skin. It can also mean you are applying too much pressure. Ease up! Also, try a pre-shave oil and don’t forget the aftershave balm and moisturizer. If none of these help, try changing your blade more frequently. A dull razor can cause razor burn.

Ingrown Hairs

Often called razor bumps, ingrown hairs curl back on themselves, growing back into the follicle.
Sometimes, the hair fails to grow out of the follicle, staying embedded in the skin.
Usually, ingrown hairs are minor irritations but they can become painful, and if left untreated, they can become infected. Not all facial bumps are the result of ingrown hair. If the bump looks and feels like a small pimple or a cyst that contains pus, it's most likely an ingrown hair. You may also be able to see the hair below the skin's surface.
To rid yourself of ingrown hair, apply a warm, moist washcloth to the area to soften the skin. When it becomes cool, remove it and examine the area. If you can see the ingrown hair, it's ready to be removed with a pair of tweezers. If you can't see it, run the rag under warm water again and apply it to the affected area. If you apply the warm, moist washcloth for 10 minutes and still cannot see any sign of an ingrown hair, your problem may be something else and you should consult a dermatologist.
Applying a warm, moist rag softens the hair and brings it closer to the surface. Once you can see the hair take, take your tweezers and gently pull the hair out of the skin. Don't dig for the hair and don't pluck the hair out. Simply remove the tip from under the skin.
Wash the area thoroughly with moisturizing soap and warm water, and apply an antiseptic on the area to prevent infection.Tips to prevent ingrown hairs
Exfoliating your skin with a loofa will help get rid of dead skin and prevent ingrown hairs. If you have persistent problems with ingrown hairs or you encounter one that you cannot remove, contact a dermatologist.
Use the right shaving implements is essential. Start with facial cleansers, moisturizers and aftershaves that are designed not to clog pores. Using the wet shave method, with lots of lather, and then applying a moisture-rich aftershave lotion or balm reduces the chances of ingrown hairs.